Backlight module

ABSTRACT

A backlight module includes at least one light source, a light reflecting member, and a cabinet. The light reflecting member includes a center reflecting part, and four peripheral reflecting parts. The center reflecting part and the peripheral reflecting parts are integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member. The peripheral reflecting parts are slanted with respect to the center reflecting part, respectively, while the light reflecting member is attached to the cabinet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/097,896, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/430,152. This application claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2008-211261, filed on Aug. 20, 2008. The entiredisclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/097,896 and12/430,152 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-211261 are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a backlight module. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a backlight module with alight source.

Background Information

A conventional liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal cell anda backlight device. The backlight device is disposed directly behind theliquid crystal cell.

The backlight device mainly includes a linear light source, a lightreflecting member, a plurality of optical sheets and a frame. The linearlight source includes a straight tube or U-tube fluorescent tube.Electrodes at the ends of the linear light source are fitted into apower socket. The light reflecting member is disposed at the back of thelinear light source. The light reflecting member includes a reflectingface. The light from the linear light source is reflected by the lightreflecting member, and shines from the back onto the liquid crystalcell. The optical sheets include a light diffusing plate, and aredisposed in the required type and number between the light reflectingmember and the liquid crystal cell. The light reflected by thereflecting face of the light reflecting member passes through theoptical sheets, and shines on the liquid crystal cell from the back,which maintains the brightness balance of an image display face of theliquid crystal cell. The frame supports the linear light source, thelight reflecting member and the optical sheets. The frame is made ofmolded resin or sheet metal.

The linear light source and the light reflecting member are mounted inthe frame. All or substantially all of the surface of the lightreflecting member is a reflecting face. The reflecting face is dividedinto one wide, rectangular center region located at the back of thelinear light source, and slender, trapezoidal peripheral regions thatare raised up in a slanted orientation from four sides of the centerregion.

With the conventional backlight device, the light reflecting member isformed by combining a sheet that can be bent, and frame pieces. Theframe pieces are formed from resin by injection molding.

The sheet is bent along straight bending lines set at places near thetwo long sides, and has a silhouette shape that is substantiallyrectangular. The sheet is bent and held so that the rectangular centerregion and two of the trapezoidal peripheral regions on either side ofthe center region are formed in the sheet. In the two peripheral regionsformed by the sheet, the ends in the lengthwise direction of each of theperipheral regions are formed in a shape such that the spacing betweenthe ends of each of the peripheral regions widens moving away from thebending lines. Thus, the peripheral regions are formed in a trapezoidalshape.

The frame piece is a resin molding formed by injection molding. Theframe piece has a slender, slanted, trapezoidal reflecting face. Theframe pieces are disposed symmetrically on either side in the lengthwisedirection of the sheet. The slender, trapezoidal reflecting faces of theframe pieces are used as the other two peripheral regions. The ends ofthe slender, trapezoidal reflecting faces of the frame pieces are buttedagainst the ends of the slender, trapezoidal peripheral regions formedby the sheet, and the butting configuration of the four peripheralregions forms a rectangular shape.

Meanwhile, with another conventional backlight device, the light from alight source is reflected by a reflecting plate (see Japanese Laid-OpenPatent Application Nos. 2004-102119 and 2004-55182, for example). In theconventional backlight device, uneven brightness is avoided by providinga peaked portion to the reflecting plate. Furthermore, warping of thereflecting plate is prevented by using a multilayer structure for thereflecting plate.

However, when the light reflecting member is a combination of the sheetwith the two frame pieces, three components are required to form thelight reflecting member, namely, the sheet and the two frame pieces.This not only increases the cost, but also makes the assembly processmore complicated and diminishes productivity.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved backlightdevice. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as otherneeds, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is conceived in light of the above-mentionedproblems. One object of the present invention is to provide a backlightmodule whose production cost is reduced.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a backlightmodule includes at least one light source, a light reflecting member,and a cabinet. The at least one light source emits light. The lightreflecting member is arranged to reflect the light emitted from thelight source. The light reflecting member includes a center reflectingpart and four peripheral reflecting parts. The center reflecting parthas two first opposite side portions and two second opposite sideportions. The peripheral reflecting parts each have a trapezoidal shapewith a lower base and an upper base that is longer than the lower base.The lower bases are connected to the first and second opposite sideportions of the center reflecting part, respectively. The peripheralreflecting parts extend from the first and second opposite side portionsof the center reflecting part, respectively. The center reflecting partand the peripheral reflecting parts are integrally formed as aone-piece, unitary member. The cabinet includes a bottom part, two firstside parts and two second side parts. The first and second side partsextend frontward from peripheral portions of the bottom part withrespect to the bottom part, respectively. The first and second sideparts define an interior of the cabinet therebetween. While the lightreflecting member is attached to the cabinet, the center reflecting partand the peripheral reflecting parts are disposed within the interior ofthe cabinet, the peripheral reflecting parts are slanted with respect tothe center reflecting part, respectively, and the peripheral reflectingparts extend in an opening direction of the cabinet and outward from thefirst and second opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed descriptions, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, disclose selected embodiments of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a backlight device for a liquidcrystal module in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a light reflecting member of thebacklight device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a development view of the light reflecting member illustratedin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail development view of a light reflecting member inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the backlight device illustratedin FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another example of the backlightdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from these disclosures that the following descriptions of theselected embodiments of the present invention are provided forillustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

First Embodiment

A liquid crystal module (e.g., a display device) includes a liquidcrystal cell (e.g., a liquid crystal panel) (not shown) and a backlightdevice (e.g., a backlight module). The backlight device is disposeddirectly behind the liquid crystal cell. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, thebacklight device mainly includes a pair of linear light sources 1 (e.g.,light sources), a light reflecting member 3, a plurality of opticalsheets 4 and a frame 5 (e.g., a cabinet). The linear light sources 1emit light. Each of the linear light sources 1 includes a U-shapedfluorescent tube. The linear light source 1 has electrodes at ends ofthe linear light source 1. The electrodes are inserted into powersockets 2 (e.g., electric connectors) to supply electronic power to thelinear light source 1. The light reflecting member 3 is disposed at theback (e.g., the rear side) of the linear light source 1, and has areflecting face. The light from the linear light source 1 is reflectedby the light reflecting member 3, and shines from the back toward theliquid crystal cell. The light reflecting member 3 is formed as aone-piece, unitary member. The optical sheets 4 includes a lightdiffusing plate, and are disposed in the required type and numberbetween the light reflecting member 3 and the liquid crystal cell. Thelight reflected by the reflecting face of the light reflecting member 3passes through the optical sheets 4, and shines on the liquid crystalcell from the back. As a result, the brightness balance of a displayface of the liquid crystal cell is maintained. The linear light source1, the light reflecting member 3 and the optical sheets 4 are supportedon the frame 5. The frame 5 is made of molded resin or sheet metal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light reflecting member 3 is made of a sheet(e.g., sheet-like member) 8. The entire light reflecting member 3 isformed by just the single sheet 8 as a one-piece, unitary member. Inother words, the light reflecting member 3 is not formed by combining asheet with frame pieces, as the conventional light reflecting member.All or substantially all of the surface of the light reflecting member 3is a reflecting face.

The sheet 8 has a center region (e.g., a center reflecting face or acenter reflecting part) Z1, a pair of top and bottom peripheral regions(e.g., a pair of first peripheral reflecting faces, first peripheralreflecting parts, or peripheral reflecting parts) Z2 and Z4, and a pairof left and right trapezoidal peripheral regions (e.g., a pair of secondperipheral reflecting faces, second peripheral reflecting parts, orperipheral reflecting parts) Z3 and Z5. The center region Z1 is formedin a rectangular shape. The center region Z1 is located at the back ofthe linear light source 1. The peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 areformed in a trapezoidal shape. The peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5are raised up in a slanted orientation from four sides 11, 12, 13, and14 of the center region Z1. Specifically, the top and bottom peripheralregions Z2 and Z4 extend from top and bottom long side portions (e.g.,first opposite side portions) of the center region Z1 frontward andoutward with respect to the center region Z1. The left and rightperipheral regions Z3 and Z5 extend from left and right short sideportions (e.g., second opposite side portions) of the center region Z1frontward and outward with respect to the center region Z1. The sheet 8is bent at four places around the periphery of the center region Z1along straight bending lines (e.g., bent portions) L11, L12, L13, andL14, which forms the peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5, and alsoforms the center region Z1 having the four sides 11, 12, 13, and 14 thatare formed by the bending lines L11, L12, L13, and L14. Therefore, thecenter region Z1 has a wide, rectangular region bounded by the foursides 11, 12, 13, and 14. Also, the peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, andZ5 has slender, trapezoidal regions that are raised up in the slantedorientation from the four sides 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the center regionZ1, respectively.

When the sheet 8 is spread out as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet 8 has ashape in which V-shaped cuts C having the same shape are formed at fourcorners of a rectangular sheet material. The straight lines that connectthe bottom points (e.g., the vertex) of the cuts C correspond to thebending lines L11, L12, L13, and L14. The rectangular region bounded bythe bending lines L11, L12, L13, and L14 corresponds to the centerregion Z1. Therefore, the places where the bending lines L11, L12, L13,and L14 are formed correspond to the four sides 11, 12, 13, and 14 ofthe center region Z1.

Outer regions of the four bending lines L11, L12, L13, and L14 aretrapezoidal in shape. The trapezoidal regions correspond to theperipheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5. With the sheet 8, slenderextension tabs 81, 82, 83, and 84 (e.g., extension parts) are providedto outer edges of the peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5,respectively. The extension tabs 81, 82, 83, and 84 are narrow in width.

When the trapezoidal regions are bent in the slanted orientation alongthe four straight bending lines L11, L12, L13, and L14, and the sheet 8is held in the shape shown in FIG. 2, this forms the center region Z1and the peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 that are raised up in theslanted orientation from the four sides 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the centerregion Z1, respectively. In between each one of adjacent pairs of theperipheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 that are adjacent to one anotherand flank respective one of the corners of the rectangular center regionZ1 (e.g., the peripheral regions Z2 and Z3, the peripheral regions Z3and Z4, the peripheral regions Z4 and Z5, and the peripheral regions Z5and Z2), the ends (e.g., end portions or side end portions) of theperipheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 are butted together to form buttjoints (e.g., corner sections) a so that there is no gap in between. Theextension tabs 81, 82, 83, and 84 of the outer edges of the peripheralregions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 are bent outward. The extension tabs 81, 82,83, and 84 correspond to the portions supported by the frame 5 as shownin FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the U-shaped fluorescent tubes are used for thelinear light source 1. The end electrodes of the linear light source 1are connected to the power sockets 2 disposed in the empty space at theback of the peripheral region Z5 of the sheet 8. The linear light source1 passes through holes 87 formed in the peripheral region Z5 and sticksout to the rear of the peripheral region Z5, where it is connected tothe power sockets 2. Each of the through holes 87 has a closed hole witha continuous periphery. On the back side of the sheet 8, a fixing piece9 is affixed to the frame 5. The fixing piece 9 has clamps 91. Theclamps 91 stick out to the front side of the sheet 8 from openings 92made at places on the center region Z1 of the sheet 8. The clamps 91support the linear light sources 1 at suitable locations, such as thetwo locations of the bent portion shown in FIG. 5.

With the backlight device, the light reflecting member 3 is formed byjust a single sheet 8, and furthermore the sheet 8 is formed by bendinga substantially rectangular sheet material with the shape shown in FIG.3 at an angle and at four places around the periphery of the material.Thus, the cost of producing the light reflecting member 3 is markedlylower than the conventional light reflecting member. Also, the assemblyprocess for the light reflecting member 3 involves merely bending asingle sheet material at four places around its periphery and at anangle. Thus, the process is much simpler than the conventional lightreflecting member that requires skill to combine the sheet with theframe pieces. Therefore, this promotes a simpler assembly process forthe backlight device, and the productivity tends to be higher.Furthermore, no gaps are produced at the boundary between each one ofthe adjacent pairs of the peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 (e.g.,at the butt joints a). As a result, the light is appropriatelyreflected, and it is unlikely that the brightness of the liquid crystalcell is uneven.

With the backlight device, the reflecting faces are formed on the lightreflecting member 3. Specifically, the center region Z1 located at theback of the linear light source 1 and the peripheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4,and Z5 that are raised up in a slanted orientation from the four sides11 to 14 of the center region Z1, are all formed by just the one sheet8. Accordingly, there is no need to form the center region Z1 and theperipheral regions Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 by combining the conventionalsheet with the conventional frame pieces. Thus, the light reflectingmember 3 can be formed by just the one sheet 8. As a result, there is noneed to using extra components such as the frame pieces, and the numberof parts that are needed can be correspondingly reduced. This promotes asimpler assembly process. Furthermore, the sheet 8 is more readilyavailable and much less expensive than a resin molding formed byinjection molding, which is expensive and demands sophisticatedtechnology, as with the conventional frame pieces. Therefore, with thebacklight device, it is possible to provide a backlight device much moreinexpensively. Furthermore, this helps reduce the weight of thebacklight device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the linear light sources 1 include the U-shapedfluorescent tubes, and the bent portions of the linear light sources 1are supported by the clamps 91 at locations between the peripheralregions Z3 and Z5. However, the bent portions of the linear lightsources 1 can be positioned on the back side of the peripheral regionZ3, and be supported by clamps formed on the frame 5 at locations backside of the peripheral region Z3. In this case, the peripheral region Z3also has through holes through which the linear light sources 1 aredisposed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the linear light sources 1can include a plurality of (four in FIG. 6) straight tubes. In thiscase, the peripheral region Z3 has two pairs of through holes 88 throughwhich the left end portions of the linear light sources 1 are disposed,and the peripheral region Z5 has two pairs of through holes 87 throughwhich the right end portions of the linear light sources 1 are disposed.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 4, a backlight device in accordance with a secondembodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between thefirst and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment thatare identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given thesame reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover,the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that areidentical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for thesake of brevity. The parts of the second embodiment that differ from theparts of the first embodiment will be indicated with a double prime (″).

FIG. 4 is a detail development view of the sheet 8″ in accordance withthe second embodiment. The sheet 8″ has a coupling portion that couplesthe top and bottom peripheral regions Z2 and Z4 with the left and rightperipheral regions Z3 and Z5, respectively. The coupling portionincludes four insertion tabs 85 (e.g., tongue parts) and four slits 86.The insertion tabs 85 are provided to and extend from horizontal endportions (e.g., side end portions) of the peripheral regions Z2 and Z4.The slits 86 are formed at vertical end portions (e.g., side endportions) of the peripheral regions Z3 and Z5. Each of the insertiontabs 85 is inserted into the corresponding one of the slits 86. Forexample, the insertion tab 85 is provided to the end of one peripheralregion (such as the peripheral region Z2 in FIG. 4) out of any one ofthe adjacent pairs of the peripheral regions (such as the peripheralregions Z2 and Z3 in FIG. 4) that are adjacent to one another and flankone of the corners of the center region Z1. The slit 86 is formed at theend of the other peripheral region (such as the peripheral region Z3 inFIG. 4). The insertion tab 85 is inserted into the slit 86, and latchedto the slit 86 to couple the one peripheral region with the otherperipheral region. The insertion tab 85 can also be formed at the end ofone peripheral region out of any one of the adjacent pairs of theperipheral regions (e.g., the peripheral regions Z3 and Z4, theperipheral regions Z4 and Z5, the peripheral regions Z5 and Z2, etc.)that are adjacent to one another and flank one of the corners of thecenter region Z1, and the slit 86 can be formed in the other peripheralregion.

With the sheet 8″, the sheet 8″ can be held in the shape shown in FIG. 2by bending at an angle along the bending lines L11, L12, L13, and L14.The insertion tabs 85 on the one peripheral regions are inserted intothe insertion slits 86 on the other peripheral regions from eitherinside or outside of the one peripheral regions. When the insertion tabs85 are thus inserted into the slits 86, the adjacent pairs of theperipheral regions (the peripheral regions Z2 and Z3, the peripheralregions Z3 and Z4, the peripheral regions Z4 and Z5, and the peripheralregions Z5 and Z2) are linked at the places where the insertion tabs 85are inserted into the slits 86. Accordingly, this improves the abilityof the sheet 8″ to maintain the shape shown in FIG. 2. As a result, thestability of light reflection by the sheet 8″ is increased. Furthermore,it becomes less likely that the brightness of the liquid crystal cell isuneven.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a backlightmodule includes at least one light source configured to emit light, alight reflecting member arranged to reflect the light emitted from thelight source, the light reflecting member including a center reflectingpart having two first opposite side portions and two second oppositeside portions, two first peripheral reflecting parts each having a firsttrapezoidal shape with a first lower base and a first upper base that islonger than the first lower base, the first lower bases being connectedto the first opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, such that the first peripheral reflecting parts extendfrom the first opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, two second peripheral reflecting parts each having asecond trapezoidal shape with a second lower base and a second upperbase that is longer than the second lower base, the second lower basesbeing connected to the second opposite side portions of the centerreflecting part, respectively, such that the second peripheralreflecting parts extend from the second opposite side portions of thecenter reflecting part, respectively, and two extension parts extendingfrom either the first upper bases or the second upper bases,respectively, with the center reflecting part, the first peripheralreflecting parts, the second peripheral reflecting parts and theextension parts being integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member,and a frame including a bottom part, two first side parts and two secondside parts, the first and second side parts extending frontward fromperipheral portions of the bottom part, respectively, the first andsecond side parts defining an interior of the frame therebetween. Thelight reflecting member is arranged with respect to the frame while thelight reflecting member is attached to the frame such that the centerreflecting part, the first peripheral reflecting parts and the secondperipheral reflecting parts are disposed within the interior of theframe, and such that the extension parts are disposed on either thefirst side parts or the second side parts, respectively.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatthe extension parts of the light reflecting member are arranged parallelto the center reflecting part of the light reflecting member while thelight reflecting member is attached to the frame.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the second aspect is configured such thatthe light reflecting member has a first depth measured between thecenter reflecting part and the extension parts in a directionperpendicular to the center reflecting part while the light reflectingmember is attached to the frame, and the frame has a second depthmeasured between an inner surface of the bottom part and a top surfaceof one of the first and second side parts in a direction perpendicularto the inner surface of the bottom part, with the second depth of theframe being larger than the first depth of the light reflecting membersuch that the center reflecting part of the light reflecting member isspaced apart from the inner surface of the bottom part while the lightreflecting member is attached to the frame.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the third aspect is configured such thatthe light reflecting member is further arranged with respect to theframe while the light reflecting member is attached to the frame suchthat an inner edge of one of the extension parts is aligned with aninner edge of the top surface of one of the first and second side partson which the one of the extension parts is disposed as viewed in thedirection perpendicular to the center reflecting part.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect further includes aplurality of optical sheets disposed on the light reflecting member suchthat the optical sheets at least partially overlap with the extensionparts of the light reflecting member as viewed in a directionperpendicular to the center reflecting part while the light reflectingmember is attached to the frame.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatthe light reflecting member further includes two additional extensionparts extending from either the first upper bases or the second upperbases, from which the extension parts do not extend, respectively, andthe light reflecting member is further arranged with respect to theframe while the light reflecting member is attached to the frame suchthat the additional extension parts of the light reflecting member aredisposed on either the first side parts or the second side parts, onwhich the extension parts are not disposed, respectively.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatthe extension parts of the light reflecting member are disposed alongentire lengths of either the first upper bases or the second upperbases, respectively.

In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the seventh aspect is configured such thatthe extension parts of the light reflecting member have a rectangularshape.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the seventh aspect is configured such thatthe extension parts have a first width measured in a widthwise directionperpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the extension parts, andeither the first side parts or the second side parts on which theextension parts are disposed have a second width measured in thewidthwise direction, with the second width being larger than the firstwidth.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatside end portions of an adjacent pair of the first peripheral reflectingparts and the second peripheral reflecting parts abut against each otherto form a corner section of the light reflecting member at a cornerportion of the center reflecting part while the light reflecting memberis attached to the frame.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the tenth aspect is configured such thatthe side end portions of the adjacent pair of the first peripheralreflecting parts and the second peripheral reflecting parts define anabutment interface while the light reflecting member is attached to theframe, the abutment interface extends from the corner portion of thecenter reflecting part in a direction that intersects with a diagonal ofthe center reflecting part that extends through the corner portion ofthe center reflecting part as viewed in a direction perpendicular to thecenter reflecting part.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the eleventh aspect is configured suchthat the light reflecting member further includes a tongue part thatextends from one of the side end portions of the adjacent pair of thefirst peripheral reflecting parts and the second peripheral reflectingparts towards the other of the side end portions of the adjacent pair ofthe first peripheral reflecting parts and the second peripheralreflecting parts, and the tongue part of the light reflecting member atleast partially overlaps with the other of the side end portions of theadjacent pair of the first peripheral reflecting parts and the secondperipheral reflecting parts while the light reflecting member isattached to the frame.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the twelfth aspect is configured such thatthe tongue part of the light reflecting member has a distal edgeextending between first and second ends of the tongue part, with thefirst end of the tongue part being located closer to the corner portionof the center reflecting part than the second end of the tongue part,and a distance between the distal edge of the tongue part and the otherof the side end portions of the adjacent pair of the first peripheralreflecting parts and the second peripheral reflecting parts increases asapproaching the second end of the tongue part from the first end of thetongue part along the distal edge of the tongue part.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the thirteenth aspect is configured suchthat the distal edge of the tongue part of the light reflecting memberis disposed on a rear side of the other of the side end portions of theadjacent pair of the first peripheral reflecting parts and the secondperipheral reflecting parts while the light reflecting member isattached to the frame.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the fourteenth aspect is configured suchthat each of the side end portions of the adjacent pair of the firstperipheral reflecting parts and the second peripheral reflecting partshas first and second ends, with the first end of each of the side endportions being located closer to the corner portion of the centerreflecting part than the second end of each of the side end portions,and the tongue part is entirely disposed within an area enclosed by theside end portions and an imaginary line extending between the secondends of the side end portions.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatthe first peripheral reflecting parts of the light reflecting membereach have an isosceles trapezoidal shape as the first trapezoidal shape,and the second peripheral reflecting parts of the light reflectingmember each have an isosceles trapezoidal shape as the secondtrapezoidal shape.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatthe first peripheral reflecting parts are slanted with respect to thecenter reflecting part such that the first peripheral reflecting partsextend inwardly away from the first side parts of the frame,respectively, as the first peripheral reflecting parts approach thecenter reflecting part, respectively, and the second peripheralreflecting parts are slanted with respect to the center reflecting partsuch that the second peripheral reflecting parts extend inwardly awayfrom the second side parts of the frame, respectively, as the secondperipheral reflecting parts approach the center reflecting part,respectively.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatone of the first and second side parts of the frame extendsperpendicularly frontward with respect to the bottom part such that theone of the first and second side parts of the frame and correspondingone of the first and second peripheral reflecting parts that isadjacently opposite the one of the first and second side parts of theframe define a spacing therebetween while the light reflecting member isattached to the frame.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatat least one of the first and second side parts of the frame has anouter surface that is perpendicular to the bottom part of the frame.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thateither the first peripheral reflecting parts or the second peripheralreflecting parts are oriented with respect to the center reflecting partwhile the light reflecting member is attached to the frame such thatangles defined between the center reflecting part and either the firstperipheral reflecting parts or the second peripheral reflecting partsare equal to each other.

In accordance with a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the twentieth aspect is configured suchthat either the first side parts of the frame or the second side partsof the frame are oriented with respect to the bottom part of the framesuch that angles defined between the bottom part and either the firstside parts or the second side parts are equal to each other.

In accordance with a twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the first aspect is configured such thatthe first opposite side portions of the center reflecting part arelonger than the second opposite side portions of the center reflectingpart, respectively.

In accordance with a twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the twenty-second aspect further includesa plurality of light sources arranged with respect to the frame, thelight sources being connected to a plurality of electric connectors,respectively, the electric connectors being arranged closer to one ofthe second side parts of the frame than the other of the second sideparts of the frame.

In accordance with a twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the twenty-third aspect is configured suchthat the light sources are symmetrically arranged relative to the framewith respect to a horizontal center plane of the backlight module.

In accordance with a twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the twenty-fourth aspect is configuredsuch that the light reflecting member further has a plurality ofopenings located on the center reflecting part, the light sources beingsupported with respect to the frame via light source supports that aredisposed through the openings of the light reflecting member.

In accordance with a twenty sixth aspect of the present disclosure, thebacklight module according to the twenty-fifth aspect is configured suchthat the light reflecting member further has a plurality of throughholes with continuous periphery, the light sources being connected tothe electric connectors through the through holes, respectively, thethrough holes being at least partially located on one of the secondperipheral reflecting parts that is adjacently opposite the one of thesecond side parts of the frame while the light reflecting member isattached to the frame.

In accordance with a twenty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure,the backlight module according to the seventeenth aspect is configuredsuch that a side end portion of one of the first peripheral reflectingparts abuts against a side end portion of one of the second peripheralreflecting parts that is adjacent to the one of the first peripheralreflecting parts to form a corner section of the light reflecting memberat a corner portion of the center reflecting part with the cornerportion of the center reflecting part being located between the one ofthe first peripheral reflecting parts and the one of the secondperipheral reflecting parts, the light reflecting member furtherincludes a tongue part that extends from one of the side end portions ofthe first and second peripheral reflecting parts towards the other ofthe side end portions of the first and second peripheral reflectingparts, and the tongue part of the light reflecting member at leastpartially overlaps with the other of the side end portions of the firstand second peripheral reflecting parts while the light reflecting memberis attached to the frame.

In accordance with a twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, alight reflecting member includes a center reflecting part having twofirst opposite side portions and two second opposite side portions, twofirst peripheral reflecting parts each having a first trapezoidal shapewith a first lower base and a first upper base that is longer than thefirst lower base, the first lower bases being connected to the firstopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively, suchthat the first peripheral reflecting parts extend from the firstopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively, twosecond peripheral reflecting parts each having a second trapezoidalshape with a second lower base and a second upper base that is longerthan the second lower base, the second lower bases being connected tothe second opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, such that the second peripheral reflecting parts extendfrom the second opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, and two extension parts extending from either the firstupper bases or the second upper bases, respectively, with the centerreflecting part, the first peripheral reflecting parts, the secondperipheral reflecting parts and the extension parts being integrallyformed as a one-piece, unitary member. The light reflecting member isconfigured to be arranged with respect to a frame while the lightreflecting member is attached to the frame such that the centerreflecting part, the first peripheral reflecting parts and the secondperipheral reflecting parts are disposed within an interior of the framethat is defined between two first side parts of the frame and two secondside part of the frame, and such that the extension parts are disposedon either the first side parts or the second side parts, respectively.The first peripheral reflecting parts are slanted with respect to thecenter reflecting part such that the first peripheral reflecting partsextend inwardly away from the first side parts of the frame,respectively, as the first peripheral reflecting parts approach thecenter reflecting part, respectively. The second peripheral reflectingparts are slanted with respect to the center reflecting part such thatthe second peripheral reflecting parts extend inwardly away from thesecond side parts of the frame, respectively, as the second peripheralreflecting parts approach the center reflecting part, respectively.

In accordance with a twenty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, adisplay device includes a liquid crystal cell, at least one light sourceconfigured to emit light, a light reflecting member arranged to reflectthe light emitted from the light source toward the liquid crystal cell,the light reflecting member including a center reflecting part havingtwo first opposite side portions and two second opposite side portions,two first peripheral reflecting parts each having a first trapezoidalshape with a first lower base and a first upper base that is longer thanthe first lower base, the first lower bases being connected to the firstopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively, suchthat the first peripheral reflecting parts extend from the firstopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively, twosecond peripheral reflecting parts each having a second trapezoidalshape with a second lower base and a second upper base that is longerthan the second lower base, the second lower bases being connected tothe second opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, such that the second peripheral reflecting parts extendfrom the second opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, and two extension parts extending from either the firstupper bases or the second upper bases, respectively, with the centerreflecting part, the first peripheral reflecting parts, the secondperipheral reflecting parts and the extension parts being integrallyformed as a one-piece, unitary member, and a frame including a bottompart, two first side parts and two second side parts, the first andsecond side parts extending frontward from peripheral portions of thebottom part, respectively, the first and second side parts defining aninterior of the frame therebetween. The light reflecting member isarranged with respect to the frame while the light reflecting member isattached to the frame such that the center reflecting part, the firstperipheral reflecting parts and the second peripheral reflecting partsare disposed within the interior of the frame, and such that theextension parts are disposed on either the first side parts or thesecond side parts, respectively. The first peripheral reflecting partsare slanted with respect to the center reflecting part such that thefirst peripheral reflecting parts extend inwardly away from the firstside parts of the frame, respectively, as the first peripheralreflecting parts approach the center reflecting part, respectively. Thesecond peripheral reflecting parts are slanted with respect to thecenter reflecting part such that the second peripheral reflecting partsextend inwardly away from the second side parts of the frame,respectively, as the second peripheral reflecting parts approach thecenter reflecting part, respectively.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components and groups, but do not exclude the presence ofother unstated features, elements, components and groups. The foregoingalso applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,“including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,”“section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singularcan have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Asused herein to describe the present invention, the following directionalterms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, belowand transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a liquid crystal module equipped with the presentinvention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the presentinvention should be interpreted relative to a liquid crystal moduleequipped with the present invention as used in the normal operatingposition.

While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the presentinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thesedisclosures that various changes and modifications can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the selectedembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A backlight module comprising: at least one lightsource that emits light; a light reflecting member arranged to reflectthe light emitted from the light source, the light reflecting memberincluding a center reflecting part with a rectangular shape having twofirst opposite side portions and two second opposite side portions, fourperipheral reflecting parts each having a trapezoidal shape with a lowerbase and an upper base that is longer than the lower base, the lowerbases being connected to the first and second opposite side portions ofthe center reflecting part, respectively, the peripheral reflectingparts extending from the first and second opposite side portions of thecenter reflecting part, respectively, extension parts extending from theupper bases of the peripheral reflecting parts, respectively, with thelight reflecting member being integrally formed as a one-piece, unitarymember; an optical sheet disposed on the light reflecting member; and acabinet including a bottom part, two first side parts and two secondside parts, the first and second side parts extending frontward fromperipheral portions of the bottom part, respectively, with the first andsecond side parts defining an interior of the cabinet therebetween andincluding first and second peripheral edges, respectively, that definean opening of the cabinet, while the light reflecting member is attachedto the cabinet, the center reflecting part and the peripheral reflectingparts being disposed within the interior of the cabinet, the peripheralreflecting parts being slanted with respect to the center reflectingpart, respectively, and the peripheral reflecting parts extending in anopening direction of the cabinet and outward from the first and secondopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively, theextension parts being supported on the first and second side parts, theoptical sheet directly contacting with the extension parts in adirection perpendicular to the center reflecting part at a locationoutside the interior of the cabinet on an opposite side of the openingwith respect to the bottom part of the cabinet, side end portions of anadjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts abutting against eachother to form a corner section of the light reflecting member at acorner portion of the center reflecting part while the light reflectingmember is attached to the cabinet, and the side end portions of theadjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts defining an abutmentinterface while the light reflecting member is attached to the cabinet,the abutment interface extending from the corner portion of the centerreflecting part in a direction that intersects with a diagonal of thecenter reflecting part that extends through the corner portion of thecenter reflecting part as viewed in the direction perpendicular to thecenter reflecting part.
 2. The backlight module according to claim 1,wherein the extension parts are arranged parallel to the centerreflecting part of the light reflecting member while the lightreflecting member is attached to the cabinet.
 3. The backlight moduleaccording to claim 2, wherein the light reflecting member has a firstdepth measured between the center reflecting part and the extensionparts in a direction perpendicular to the center reflecting part whilethe light reflecting member is attached to the cabinet, and the cabinethas a second depth measured between an inner surface of the bottom partand a top surface of one of the first and second side parts in adirection perpendicular to the inner surface of the bottom part, withthe second depth of the cabinet being larger than the first depth of thelight reflecting member, the center reflecting part of the lightreflecting member being spaced apart from the inner surface of thebottom part while the light reflecting member is attached to thecabinet.
 4. The backlight module according to claim 3, wherein while thelight reflecting member is attached to the cabinet, an inner edge of oneof the extension parts is aligned with an inner edge of the top surfaceof one of the first and second side parts on which the one of theextension parts is disposed as viewed in the direction perpendicular tothe center reflecting part.
 5. The backlight module according to claim1, wherein the optical sheet is disposed on the light reflecting member,the optical sheet at least partially overlapping with the extensionparts of the light reflecting member as viewed in a directionperpendicular to the center reflecting part while the light reflectingmember is attached to the cabinet.
 6. The backlight module according toclaim 1, wherein while the light reflecting member is attached to thecabinet, the extension parts are disposed on the first and second sideparts, respectively.
 7. The backlight module according to claim 1,wherein the extension parts are disposed along entire lengths of theupper bases of the at least one opposite pair of the peripheralreflecting parts, respectively.
 8. The backlight module according toclaim 7, wherein the extension parts have a rectangular shape.
 9. Thebacklight module according to claim 7, wherein the extension parts havea first width measured in a widthwise direction perpendicular to alengthwise direction of the extension parts, and either the first sideparts or the second side parts on which the extension parts are disposedhave a second width measured in the widthwise direction, with the secondwidth being larger than the first width.
 10. The backlight moduleaccording to claim 1, wherein the light reflecting member furtherincludes a tongue part that extends from one of the side end portions ofthe adjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts towards the otherof the side end portions of the adjacent pair of the peripheralreflecting parts, and the tongue part of the light reflecting member atleast partially overlaps with the other of the side end portions of theadjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts while the lightreflecting member is attached to the cabinet.
 11. The backlight moduleaccording to claim 1, wherein the peripheral reflecting parts of thelight reflecting member each have an isosceles trapezoidal shape as thetrapezoidal shape.
 12. The backlight module according to claim 1,wherein one of the first and second side parts of the cabinet extendsperpendicularly frontward with respect to the bottom part, the one ofthe first and second side parts of the cabinet and corresponding one ofthe peripheral reflecting parts that is adjacently opposite the one ofthe first and second side parts of the cabinet define a spacingtherebetween while the light reflecting member is attached to thecabinet.
 13. The backlight module according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of the first and second side parts of the cabinet has an outersurface that is perpendicular to the bottom part of the cabinet.
 14. Thebacklight module according to claim 1, wherein angles defined betweenthe center reflecting part and a pair of the peripheral reflecting partsare equal to each other.
 15. The backlight module according to claim 14,wherein angles defined between the bottom part and either the first sideparts or the second side parts are equal to each other.
 16. Thebacklight module according to claim 1, wherein the first opposite sideportions of the center reflecting part are longer than the secondopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively. 17.The backlight module according to claim 16, further comprising aplurality of light sources arranged with respect to the cabinet, thelight sources being connected to a plurality of electric connectors,respectively, the electric connectors being arranged closer to one ofthe second side parts of the cabinet than the other of the second sideparts of the cabinet.
 18. The backlight module according to claim 17,wherein the light sources are symmetrically arranged relative to thecabinet with respect to a horizontal center plane of the backlightmodule.
 19. The backlight module according to claim 18, wherein thelight reflecting member further has a plurality of openings located onthe center reflecting part, the light sources being supported withrespect to the cabinet via light source supports that are disposedthrough the openings of the light reflecting member.
 20. The backlightmodule according to claim 19, wherein the light reflecting memberfurther has a plurality of through holes with continuous periphery, thelight sources being connected to the electric connectors through thethrough holes, respectively, the through holes being at least partiallylocated on one of the second peripheral reflecting parts that isadjacently opposite the one of the second side parts of the cabinetwhile the light reflecting member is attached to the cabinet.
 21. Thebacklight module according to claim 1, wherein the corner portion of thecenter reflecting part is located between the adjacent pair of theperipheral reflecting parts, the light reflecting member furtherincludes a tongue part that extends from one of the side end portions ofthe adjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts towards the otherof the side end portions of the adjacent pair of the peripheralreflecting parts, and the tongue part of the light reflecting member atleast partially overlaps with the other of the side end portions of theadjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts while the lightreflecting member is attached to the cabinet.
 22. The backlight moduleaccording to claim 1, wherein while the light reflecting member isattached to the cabinet, the extension parts are disposed on the firstand second side parts, respectively, and each of the extension partshaving the same width in a widthwise direction thereof that isperpendicular to corresponding one of the upper bases.
 23. A displaydevice comprising: a liquid crystal cell; at least one light source thatemits light; a light reflecting member arranged to reflect the lightemitted from the light source toward the liquid crystal cell, the lightreflecting member including a center reflecting part with a rectangularshape having two first opposite side portions and two second oppositeside portions, and four peripheral reflecting parts each having atrapezoidal shape with a lower base and an upper base that is longerthan the lower base, the lower bases being connected to the first andsecond opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, the peripheral reflecting parts extending from the firstand second opposite side portions of the center reflecting part,respectively, extension parts extending from the upper bases of theperipheral reflecting parts, respectively, with the light reflectingmember being integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member; anoptical sheet disposed on the light reflecting member; and a cabinetincluding a bottom part, two first side parts and two second side parts,the first and second side parts extending frontward from peripheralportions of the bottom part, respectively, with the first and secondside parts defining an interior of the cabinet therebetween andincluding first and second peripheral edges, respectively, that definean opening of the cabinet, while the light reflecting member is attachedto the cabinet, the center reflecting part and the peripheral reflectingparts being disposed within the interior of the cabinet, the peripheralreflecting parts being slanted with respect to the center reflectingpart, respectively, and the peripheral reflecting parts extending in anopening direction of the cabinet and outward from the first and secondopposite side portions of the center reflecting part, respectively, theextension parts being supported on the first and second side parts, andthe optical sheet directly contacting with the extension parts in adirection perpendicular to the center reflecting part at a locationoutside the interior of the cabinet on an opposite side of the openingwith respect to the bottom part of the cabinet, side end portions of anadjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts abutting against eachother to form a corner section of the light reflecting member at acorner portion of the center reflecting part while the light reflectingmember is attached to the cabinet, and the side end portions of theadjacent pair of the peripheral reflecting parts defining an abutmentinterface while the light reflecting member is attached to the cabinet,the abutment interface extending from the corner portion of the centerreflecting part in a direction that intersects with a diagonal of thecenter reflecting part that extends through the corner portion of thecenter reflecting part as viewed in the direction perpendicular to thecenter reflecting part.